As Cortney noted, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel has been suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis. This was expected. Israel had told staff prior to this announcement that this would most likely happen. And Gov. DeSantis made it official.
Israel, who has been criticized for how his department responded to the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school last February, also took part in the CNN town hall event, where he slammed the National Rifle Association. The event was held days after the shooting. Now, with his suspension, Israel has blamed the NRA, and said this was all about politics.
"There was no wrong doing on my part" says ousted Broward Sheriff Scott Israel.
— CBS4 Miami (@CBSMiami) January 11, 2019
Watch live: https://t.co/mLKezqpqi3
“...now the NRA controls the governor’s actions...”
— liz roldan (@lizroldancbs4) January 11, 2019
Ousted former sheriff Scott Israel @CBSMiami @ccoddcbs4news @DeFede @FrancesWangTV #developing pic.twitter.com/vWbayvBbkU
NEW: Suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel responds to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' Executive Order: "This suspension is not about what occurred on February 14th... this was about politics, not about Parkland." https://t.co/U7vcZIgAW8 pic.twitter.com/ka1XYd0vZ8
— ABC News (@ABC) January 11, 2019
It was also revealed after this CNN town hall that his deputy never went into the building to confront the shooter, Nikolas Cruz. Still, as it became clear that Israel’s department dropped that ball, he remained adamant that nothing was his fault. There were also allegations that Israel had built a political machine in the county with taxpayer money, but the mounting criticism to the response to the school shooting prompted a confidence vote from the rank-and-file. And it didn’t get better. A deputy, who has since been fired, that was in charge of school security after the shooting was caught sleeping on the job.
I'm glad that there is some justice given today. And to @ScottJIsrael , who tried to blame me and others for his incompetencies, there is so, so much I could say to you, and would, if I wasn’t trying to be a better Christian. Instead, I’m just going to pray for you. Genuinely.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) January 11, 2019
85% of Scott Israel’s deputies voted no confidence in him. Parkland parents of every political persuasion stood by the podium cheering the decision. He says this is “unjust.” Tell that to the 17 families who unjustly lost a loved one. https://t.co/EkKC6vZuow
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) January 12, 2019
More from the Executive Order: “Sheriff Israel’s deputies interviewed by the MSD Public Safety Commission could not remember the last time they attended active shooter training or what type of training they received...” @CBSMiami @ccoddcbs4news @DeFede @FrancesWangTV #developing
— liz roldan (@lizroldancbs4) January 11, 2019
Join the conversation as a VIP Member